I’m a gardening pro – a 50 cent purchase from Wilko will keep slugs off your plants forever, or try my free ‘bucket’ trick

A GARDENING expert has shared his top tips for getting rid of slugs.

Contrary to popular opinionthe professional revealed that the majority of slugs are, in fact, harmless and are “doing a lot of good for your garden”.

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Speaking as a guest on Blue Peter presenter Lee Connelly’s Skinny Jean Gardener podcast, Mark said: “They decompose and eat organic matter, and some of them even attack other slugs that may be causing damage to your garden.”

Mark revealed that because of this, you shouldn’t just try to kill every slug you come across.

He recommends a weekly check of your plants, to remove the slugs, put them in a bucket and then “throw them into a hedge”.

By doing this, you get rid of the slugs that are causing the problem, without harming any potentially beneficial slugs.

“I always assumed all slugs were bad!” Lee said, exasperated.

Mark revealed that slugs prefer rainy weather, so this is the perfect time to go out at night with a head torch and “ambush” them.

If you want to control the slug population in your garden, the gardening genius said that iron or ferric phosphate slug pellets are “fairly very good.”

You can buy these types of slug pellets on Amazon for less than a fiver.

Mark explained that traditional slug pellets contain metaldahyde – which can end up killing birds if they eat slugs that have been killed by the pellets.

“Iron and ferric phosphate pellets are quite safe, so if you have to use slug pellets, watch out for them,” he said.

Another simple tip you can use to rid your garden of slugs is to fill it with plants that invertebrates don’t like.

He said, “I don’t grow hostas, I grow things that are slug resistant.”

Some examples of slug resistant plants are geraniums and hellebores.

Lee then suggested that you could buy some “sacrificial hosts” for the slugs to eat, as they are known to love these plants.

Gardening work in June

The Sun’s gardening editor Veronica Lorraine has shared the tasks you should tackle this month.

Mark leggy perennials

With all the dramatic weather we’re experiencing, it’s definitely time to stake out your leggy perennials (the ones that come back every year). Heavy rains and growth spurts can cause them to collapse and fail.

Choosing Slugs and Snails

Hopefully as we move into summer they will cause less damage as the plants grow. The best way is still to go out at night with a headlamp to find them.

Choose Elderflower Heads

You can use them to make your own cordial, or add to cakes, champagne or even fry them in batter.

Stay on top of the weeds

Now is the time for weeds to really grow in the garden, so control them with weeding – or just the traditional ‘on your knees with a fork’ approach. Try to avoid chemicals – remember that weeds are just plants in the wrong place.

Above the cut

You will need to mow the lawn weekly now – if you have time, remove the weeds in advance as once you mow you cut the leaves and they are harder to see.

Check your tomatoes

Your tomato plants will need attention – regularly water, feed and pinch off side shoots.

Chelsea Chop

There’s still time for the Chelsea Chop – plants like Rudbeckia, Asters, Penstemons, Sedums and other perennials can be cut back by a third to help them get a little thicker and extend the flowering period.

Arrange your tulips

If you can be bothered and have space, lift and arrange your tulip bulbs to ensure color next spring.

Deadheading your roses

Get them to the first set of healthy leaves – which will ensure more flowers for longer.

Enjoy your space

Take some time to sit and enjoy your garden or outdoor space – it’s great for your mental health. Even just a few minutes a day can make a big difference.

Mark responded: “This is actually used in the industry, it’s called the push-me, pull-me strategy.

“You plant plants around plants you don’t want attacked.

“For example, if you put marigolds under tomatoes, the miners will go to the marigolds first and won’t bother the tomatoes.”

You can buy marigold seeds by Wilko for just 50 cents.

Another gardener’s tip is to set up beer traps.

To do this, place some glasses on the floor and fill them with cheap beer.

The smell then attracts the slugs and they fall into the beer and drown.

“I suppose there are worse ways to die,” Lee joked.

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